Tag: Kayvon Thibodeaux

Nation’s top defensive end recruit thinking about Oregon

Enai White, the nation’s top defensive end recruit, is seriously considering Oregon as he lists the Ducks in his Top 8 schools.

The Oregon Ducks are already looking for Kayvon Thibodeaux’s replacement.

Ever since Mario Cristobal arrived on the scene in Eugene, the recruiting efforts have gone through the roof and that’s not going to end any time soon.

Enai White, the nation’s top defensive end and the nation’s No. 6 overall defensive prospect, has the Ducks listed in his top 8 schools he is considering.

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, the Philadelphia, Penn. native cut his list to the usual heavyweights in college football. Oregon is on White’s list with Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Miami (Fla.), Ohio State, and Texas A&M.

Cristobal is getting into more and more of these top recruits’ homes. Seeing offensive tackle Penei Sewell go No. 7 overall in the NFL draft, Justin Herbert winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Thibodeaux likely being a top 5 pick or higher in the 2022 draft won’t hurt the Ducks’ profile.

Oregon’s 2022 recruiting class is currently ranked as No. 19 in the country and No. 1 in the Pac-12 with just eight pledges so far.

Just a few years ago, a top recruit from Pennsylvania probably wouldn’t consider Eugene to play college football, but Cristobal has proven that distance doesn’t play a factor in his recruiting methods.

The obscenely early 2022 NFL draft watch list: Defense

The 2021 NFL draft is in the books, but it is never to soon to think about the 2022 NFL draft. Here are some players to watch on defense.

Generally speaking football fans fall into one of two camps.

The first group gets done watching the NFL draft and moves on to other sports, such as basketball and baseball. They will start tuning back into their favorite football teams come training camp.

The second group gets done watching the NFL draft and immediately…thinks about the next one.

If you find yourself in that second camp, then this is your starting spot. The 2021 NFL draft just ended but here is a watch list for the next draft, just a year away. Here is the obscenely early 2022 NFL draft watch list on defense.

Five Oregon players who Badger fans need to know

Here are five Oregon Ducks who Badger fans should keep a close eye on throughout the 106th Rose Bowl game on New Years Day.

Here are five players on Oregon’s roster who Badger fans should keep a close eye on throughout Wednesday’s Rose Bowl Game.

Justin Herbert – Quarterback

2019 stats: 66.7% passing, 3,333 yds, 32 TD, 5 INT

Herbert almost certainly would have been a first-round selection in last year’s NFL draft after an excellent junior season, but the Eugene, Ore. native opted to return for his senior year for one last opportunity to lead his hometown Ducks to a Pac-12 title and College Football Playoff berth.

While he wasn’t able to accomplish the latter, Herbert is still a lock for the first round of this spring’s draft after enjoying the best statistical season of his career in 2019. The 6-6, 237-pound signal-caller has put up career-highs in both passing yards (No. 3 in the Pac-12) and touchdowns (No. 2), and his 158.7 passing efficiency rating (PER) is the third-best in the conference.

Herbert will end his college career near the top of several all-time (at least since 1956) Pac-12 lists, including career passing yards (currently No. 16), passing touchdowns (No. 6) and PER (No. 9).

CJ Verdell – Running Back

2019 stats: 6.5 YPC, 1,171 yds, 8 TD/14 rec, 125 yds (8.9 avg)

Oct 26, 2019; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks running back CJ Verdell (7) picks up a first down during the second half against the Washington State Cougars at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Verdell won’t be the best running back to take the field in Wednesday’s Rose Bowl Game (that distinction goes to No. 23 in the Cardinal and White), but make no mistake, that is very rarely the case.

The sophomore from Chula Vista, Calif. had a huge redshirt freshman season in 2018 as the only Power 5 player nationally with at least 1,000 yards rushing and 300 yards receiving, and he has not fallen off a bit this year. A Second-Team All-Pac-12 performer this season, Verdell ranks at the top of the conference in yards per carry and is second in rushing yards.

Aside from J.K. Dobbins of Ohio State, this is the most talented back the Wisconsin defense has faced all season.

NEXT: Penei Sewell/Troy Dye/Kayvon Thibodeaux

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